What Do Plants Need?

Plants need sunlight, water and air so they can grow and store energy.

How Plants Use Sunlight, Water and Air

The sunlight goes into the plant through the leaves and into the plant's cells. These cells are so small that they can only be seen using a microscope.

Inside the cells is chlorophyll. The chlorophyll catches the sunlight as it falls on the leaf.

Air also comes into the leaves through tiny holes underneath the leaves. Water comes up through the roots and flows into the leaves as well. The leaves have sunlight, water, and air in them.

Using the sunlight as energy, the chlorophyll changes the air and water into sugar or plant food that makes the plant grow.

The water in the leaves also keeps the whole plant healthy by making the leaves firm and so the plant hold its shape. 

Leaves that don't get enough water can droop or even die and drop off the plant.

 

Cells:
All living things are made up of microscopic cells which grow. As they grow they divide into two new cells. Those two new cells then grow and divide into two more new cells.

 

Chlorophyll:

Chlorophyll makes the leaves of plants green and uses sunlight to make food for the plant out of air and water.

Energy:
Energy in a plant is passed on to the animals that eat the plant. A cow gets energy from eating grass and people get energy from eating fruit and vegetables.

Microscope:

Some plants are so tiny they can only be seen using a powerful microscope. These plants are so small that they may only be made of one cell. A microscope is an instrument that magnifies extremely small things so they can be seen easily. It is one of the most important tools of science and allows scientists to learn about things that we cannot see normally.
Sunlight:
All plants need sunlight to grow. Sunlight comes through the leaves of a plant and helps the cells grow and multiply.

 

 

[Back to Top]   [Index To Alternet Pages]  [Plants Home]